Health
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
If you need help paying for medicine, call 1-888-477-2669 (Partnership for Prescription Assistance) or visit www.pparx.org.
To see if you are eligible for FREE Breast and or Cervical Cancer screenings, PAP Tests, and Mammograms, call the Frederick County Health Department at 301.600.3362.
For information about Tuberculosis, visit the CDC Division of Tuberculosis Elimination website at www.cdc.gov/tb.
Learn more about the importance of fruits and vegetables in your diet at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.
Stop smoking for life….FREE Smoking Cessation Classes at the Frederick County Health Department. For more information call 301.600.3362.
The Maryland Tobacco Quitline is a FREE service for Marylanders provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to help smokers in quitting tobacco. Call 1.800.QUIT.NOW. Hours of operation are 8:00 am to midnight, 7 days a week.
Chronic Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a common but serious liver infection. In the U.S., about 1.25 million people have chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
CHB is caused by a virus. After infection with the hepatitis B virus, the virus travels in your blood to your liver, where it multiplies and attacks healthy liver cells. Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a simple blood test. If your blood tests are positive for at least six months, then your hepatitis B infection is chronic. Once the infection becomes chronic, it never goes away, but can be managed by your doctor.
As always, early detection is key to proper care. Talk to your doctor about treatment options that may be right for you!
For more information about CHB visit www.hepb.org.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and the loss of function in the joints. It occurs when the immune system, which normally defends the body from invading organisms, turns its attack against the membrane lining the joints.
RA affects people differently. Cases range from mild to more severe cases. Although RA is primarily a disease of the joints, its effects are not just physical. Many people with RA also experience issues related to:
- depression, anxiety
- feelings of helplessness
- low self-esteem
RA can affect virtually every area of a person’s life, from work life to family life.
If you feel that you may be suffering from RA, please see your healthcare professional, or visit your local health department. As always, early detection is key to effective treatment.
For more information, contact the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS) Information Clearing House
National Institutes of Health
877.226.4267, or www.niams.nih.gov